Poll: What do women think of prostitution?

[ChrisL]

Well, to avoid a line-by-line reply, I will just say that all of those things I listed have been happening since human beings have existed. All of our efforts at "controlling" what people do have been nothing but a waste of time, money and resources because it is illegal now and still happens . . . all the time. Of course, I don't think EVERYTHING should be legalized; that's insane. But prostitution? If two adults agree that they want to exchange money for sex, I don't think it should be illegal. If it is detrimental to the person who makes the conscious decision to engage in this type of behavior, then that is on him or her. I don't consider that to be a concern of mine. I cannot stop people from hurting themselves if that's what they want to do and neither will legislation. My main concern with prostitution is when it involves children and/or forcible prostitution. I believe there would be less of THOSE things if it was legalized and regulated.

 

[Gipper]

I'll make a libertarian out of you yet.

 

[ChrisL]

I'll make a libertarian out of you yet.

When it comes to some things, I am.

 

[Daktoria]

Well, to avoid a line-by-line reply, I will just say that all of those things I listed have been happening since human beings have existed. All of our efforts at "controlling" what people do have been nothing but a waste of time, money and resources because it is illegal now and still happens . . . all the time. Of course, I don't think EVERYTHING should be legalized; that's insane.

OK. Nice to see your head's still on your shoulders.

But prostitution? If two adults agree that they want to exchange money for sex, I don't think it should be illegal. If it is detrimental to the person who makes the conscious decision to engage in this type of behavior, then that is on him or her. I don't consider that to be a concern of mine.

It's your concern because it's an attitude problem. That attitude pervades society and affects everyone in it.

I cannot stop people from hurting themselves if that's what they want to do and neither will legislation. My main concern with prostitution is when it involves children and/or forcible prostitution. I believe there would be less of THOSE things if it was legalized and regulated.

Of course, but legislation can prevent people from hurting each other. Prostitution degrades intimacy in society, and therefore, discourages duty of care towards children.

That discouragement encourages future desperation.

 

[ChrisL]

OK. Nice to see your head's still on your shoulders.



It's your concern because it's an attitude problem. That attitude pervades society and affects everyone in it.



Of course, but legislation can prevent people from hurting each other. Prostitution degrades intimacy in society, and therefore, discourages duty of care towards children.

That discouragement encourages future desperation.

But don't you think it would better to have it regulated; it could be kept "behind closed doors." I'd hope that it would reduce the number of street walkers. I don't think many people want street walkers hanging around their neighborhoods, high on drugs or whatever. I think legalization would go a long way in actually cleaning up the streets. Also, I KNOW that how other people conduct themselves has nothing to do with my morality and beliefs. I'm not so weak, and I don't think other people who have certain beliefs would be affected either. Maybe the answer is to make things like this have less "taboo." Just a theory though.

 

[Gipper]

But don't you think it would better to have it regulated; it could be kept "behind closed doors." I'd hope that it would reduce the number of street walkers. I don't think many people want street walkers hanging around their neighborhoods, high on drugs or whatever. I think legalization would go a long way in actually cleaning up the streets. Also, I KNOW that how other people conduct themselves has nothing to do with my morality and beliefs. I'm not so weak, and I don't think other people who have certain beliefs would be affected either. Maybe the answer is to make things like this have less "taboo." Just a theory though.

Disengage the argument, babe. There are some posters who represent the Morality Police. You've found one.

You'll also be delighted to meet Tigger too, although he'll insist you get off this scary magic box and go cook something for your man in the kitchen...you know, where you belong.

 

[Pinkie]

That is a vast overestimate. The US state department estimates that between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the US annually and exploited for sex or forced labor (note that they include both). In the last 7 years however, only about 1,350 actual victims of human trafficking have been identified in the US.

A report from the University of Pennsylvania estimated that at any one time between 100,000 and 300,000 children are at risk for sexual exploitation. Note that this does not reflect the number that actually ARE sex slaves, just those at risk.

There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that there are millions of sex slaves in America. It's a real problem, no doubt, but it's not nearly that wide spread.

Humm, right you are. My apologies.

Estimating The Numbers | Sex Slaves | FRONTLINE | PBS

 

[Pinkie]

What about the prostitutes who function legally, in brothels in Nevada? I looked around for info about studies about their satisfaction, but couldn't find anything. I did find items that suggest greater safety, and substantially greater protection from STDs. These prostitutes are required to use condoms every single time, and instances of STDs among them are extremely rare. They can and do refuse clients who won't use condoms, and are in a safe place where a violent client can't hurt or rape them.

Maybe it's not the best source to go by, but Penn and Teller did an episode about prostitution and discussed Nevada brothels in it. The women were safe from violence, safe from STDs, and made substantially more money than street walkers would. One point that the show made was also that street walkers are actually not the majority of illegal prostitution. Higher class escorts are common as well. We focus on the dangers, disease, and crime of street walkers, but there are other facets to the discussion as well.

Yea, I know -- I'm not blind to arguments like these. I freely admit, I am so repulsed at the idea that anyone else would be harmed in this way I just don't want to bless it.

 

[Daktoria]

Disengage the argument, babe. There are some posters who represent the Morality Police. You've found one.

You'll also be delighted to meet Tigger too, although he'll insist you get off this scary magic box and go cook something for your man in the kitchen...you know, where you belong.

...and this is why I can't stand libertarians - they transform "the right" into fascism just like progressives suggest.

Without morality, there is no rule of law. There is only might makes right.

As for Tigger, he has lots of problems, but making women feel important sure isn't one of them. He doesn't do a very good job at it.

 

[Daktoria]

But don't you think it would better to have it regulated; it could be kept "behind closed doors." I'd hope that it would reduce the number of street walkers. I don't think many people want street walkers hanging around their neighborhoods, high on drugs or whatever.

No, I don't think intimacy should be kept behind closed doors, nor should victims of dysfunctional households be forgotten.

I think legalization would go a long way in actually cleaning up the streets.

Some parts of life are inherently dirty, but we shouldn't clean them up. We just need to make sure people are responsible for their actions.

Also, I KNOW that how other people conduct themselves has nothing to do with my morality and beliefs. I'm not so weak, and I don't think other people who have certain beliefs would be affected either.

You shouldn't be so haphazard. Everyone has a weakness.

Maybe the answer is to make things like this have less "taboo." Just a theory though.

I agree. Prostitution makes intimacy much more taboo by reducing it to a business.

 

[ChrisL]

No, I don't think intimacy should be kept behind closed doors, nor should victims of dysfunctional households be forgotten.



Some parts of life are inherently dirty, but we shouldn't clean them up. We just need to make sure people are responsible for their actions.



You shouldn't be so haphazard. Everyone has a weakness.



I agree. Prostitution makes intimacy much more taboo by reducing it to a business.

I don't consider prostitution "intimacy." I don't think making laws against prostitution have ever or will ever be effective. There have pretty much always been prostitutes. I don't see where laws against it have accomplished anything, and I think it's time we take a new approach. It's kind of like beating a dead horse.

 

[Daktoria]

I don't consider prostitution "intimacy."

Exactly.

I don't think making laws against prostitution have ever or will ever be effective. There have pretty much always been prostitutes. I don't see where laws against it have accomplished anything, and I think it's time we take a new approach. It's kind of like beating a dead horse.

I agree that it's time for a new approach, but illegalization isn't the right direction.

Before, society used to only graduate children into adulthood after rites of passage where they demonstrated maturity. That way, society didn't have to watch over everyone in making sure they exercised due diligence when assuming the risk of childbearing.

Old rites of passage, however, were primarily or exclusively physical. What we need is a philosophical rite of passage where people respect "duty of care". Children should have to show confidence, sensitivity, independence, and consideration before being allowed to court.

Prostitution doesn't entail any of this. It allows cowards to simply romp around without charming a partner or considering one's well being.

Proper courtship is vital for mate selection in making sure children have quality characteristics, but prostitution discourages this practice just to get laid.

 

[Surtr]

A female relative of mine voiced unexpected favor for the legality of this profession. Left me curious about what sort of consensus the women of DebatePolitics would develop.

I've received mixed results asking women I know. Mostly because I stopped listening and started wondering what I was going to do for lunch.

 

[LiberalAvenger]

It's like making pot legal and I think it should be legal. Take the money from the pimps and use it for a good purpose. It would also make it a lot safer for everyone. In boys town in mexico they have old ladies who give men a short arm inspection to check for sexual dieases. Been there done that never got the:applaud